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Polo-like Kinase

Polo-like kinases (PLKs) are a family of four serine/threonine protein kinases that are critical regulators of cell cycle progression, mitosis, cytokinesis, and the DNA damage response. PLK1, -2 and -3 are ubiquitously expressed, whereas PLK4 is restricted to a few tissues.

Products
Background
Literature (2)
Gene Data

Polo-like Kinase Inhibitors
Cat. No. Product Name / Activity
5687 Centrinone
High affinity and selective PLK4 inhibitor
5690 Centrinone B
High affinity and selective PLK4 inhibitor
2977 GW 843682X
Selective inhibitor of PLK1 and PLK3
5403 TAK 960 hydrochloride
Potent and selective PLK1 inhibitor
4459 TC-S 7005
Potent and selective PLK2 inhibitor
1232 Wortmannin
Potent inhibitor of PLK1. Also inhibitor of PI 3-kinase

Related Targets

Polo-like kinases (PLKs) are a family of four serine/threonine protein kinases that are critical regulators of cell cycle progression, mitosis, cytokinesis, and the DNA damage response. PLK1, -2 and -3 are ubiquitously expressed, whereas PLK4 is restricted to a few tissues including the testes and the thymus.

The mRNA and protein expression of PLK1, -2 and -4 are coordinately regulated during cell cycle progression, but PLK3 levels are independent of the other three family members. Furthermore, PLK3 is a much more stable protein than PLK1, -2 or -4. PLK1 is the most well characterized member of this family and strongly promotes the progression of cells through mitosis. During the various stages of mitosis PLK1 localizes to the centrosomes, kinetochores and central spindle.

PLKs are dysregulated in a variety of human cancers. PLK1 overexpression correlates with cellular proliferation and poor prognosis. PLK2 and PLK3 are involved in checkpoint-mediated cell cycle arrest to ensure genetic stability. Loss-of-function mutations in these enzymes can lead to oncogenic transformation.

External sources of pharmacological information for Polo-like Kinase :

    Literature for Polo-like Kinase

    Tocris offers the following scientific literature for Polo-like Kinase to showcase our products. We invite you to request* your copy today!

    *Please note that Tocris will only send literature to established scientific business / institute addresses.

    Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Research Product Guide

    Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Research Product Guide

    This product guide provides a review of the cell cycle and DNA damage research area and lists over 150 products, including research tools for:

    • Cell Cycle and Mitosis
    • DNA Damage Repair
    • Targeted Protein Degradation
    • Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway
    • Chemotherapy Targets
    Cell Cycle & DNA Damage Repair Poster

    Cell Cycle & DNA Damage Repair Poster

    In normal cells, each stage of the cell cycle is tightly regulated, however in cancer cells many genes and proteins that are involved in the regulation of the cell cycle are mutated or over expressed. This poster summarizes the stages of the cell cycle and DNA repair. It also highlights strategies for enhancing replicative stress in cancer cells to force mitotic catastrophe and cell death.

    Polo-like Kinase Gene Data

    Gene Species Gene Symbol Gene Accession No. Protein Accession No.
    PLK1 Human PLK1 NM_005030 P53350
    Mouse Plk1 NM_011121 Q07832
    Rat Plk1 NM_017100 Q62673
    PLK2 Human PLK2 NM_006622 Q9NYY3
    Mouse Plk2 NM_152804 P53351
    Rat Plk2 NM_031821 Q9R012
    PLK3 Human PLK3 NM_004073 Q9H4B4
    Mouse Plk3 NM_013807 Q60806
    Rat Plk3 U02889 Q62602
    PLK4 Human PLK4 NM_014264 O00444
    Mouse Plk4 NM_011495 Q64702
    Rat Plk4 NM_001107669 NP_001101139